Airtel Cracks Down on Online fraud in Odisha: Shields 3.1 Million Users in Real Time

Bhubaneswar : Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”) has announced significant progress in its mission to protect customers in Odisha from rising online frauds. As part of the nationwide rollout of its AI-powered fraud detection system, Airtel has successfully safeguarded more than 3.1 Million users across the state — within just 40 days of launching its advanced fraud detection system.

Automatically enabled for all Airtel mobile and broadband customers, the advanced system scans and filters links across SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, E-mail and other browsers. It leverages real-time threat intelligence to examine over 1 billion URLs daily and blocks access to harmful sites in under 100 milliseconds.

For instance, if a resident in Bhubaneswar receives a suspicious message that reads: “Your package is delayed. Track it here: http://www.tracky0urparcell.com”. And if the unsuspecting resident, then clicks on the link, Airtel’s system also clicks into gear. It instantly scans the link and if flagged as suspicious, it blocks access. The user is redirected to a warning message that reads: “Blocked! Airtel found this site dangerous!” All this instantaneously. This real-time interception prevents users from falling victim to all kinds of frauds.

Commenting on the initiative, R. Balaji Singh, COO – Orrisa, Bharti Airtel, said “In an era where digital threats are becoming more advanced and widespread, the demand for a strong and dependable secure mobile network is more essential than ever. By utilizing an AI-driven solution, we take pride in being the first and only network to integrate fraud protection directly into Airtel’s network infrastructure. We believe that this solution will provide a thorough defense against cyber threats, enabling our customers in Odisha to confidently navigate the intricacies of the digital environment.”

With Odisha ranked as one of India’s most digitally advanced states, the threat of online fraud has grown in both its urban and rural regions. Fraudsters increasingly target users through phishing links, fake deliveries and spurious banking alerts. Cities like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Behrampore, Sambalpur, Rourkela, Jharsuguda, Balasore, Bhadrak — as well as towns like Balangir, Bargarh, Anugul, Paradeep among others— have seen a sharp rise in such fraudulent attempts. Airtel’s solution acts as a statewide digital shield, protecting families, senior citizens, homemakers, students and first-time smartphone users alike.

The AI-driven platform delivers fraud warnings in the user’s preferred language, including Odia, making it highly effective for the state’s diverse population. This multilingual support is especially impactful in districts with low digital literacy or where English is not widely used.

The solution operates silently in the background, requires no installation and is offered free of cost. Odisha at the forefront of digital adoption — from online banking to government e-services — and Airtel’s initiative plays a critical role in creating a safer digital ecosystem across the state. Whether it’s a working professional in Bhubaneswar, a homemaker in Sambalpur, or a student in Cuttack, Airtel helps make every digital interaction safer.